Happy Spring!
Green is the color of my energy …
Spring! It is my favorite season and each year, I celebrate the return of birdsong, longer days, warm sunshine, and the first flowers gracing us with their delicate beauty. Spring makes me happy!
And you know what else makes me happy? A gorgeous, green spring salad like the recipe I am sharing with you in this month’s blog post.
If you know me at all, you know that I’m a salad girl. In fact, I have somewhat of a reputation in my circle of friends who often ask me to bring a salad to our potluck dinners. So, when a friend recently brought the aforementioned spring salad to a gathering I hosted, I was delighted. I must credit my friend’s daughter Megan with its creation. It is absolutely delicious AND packed with nutrients. And one of the best things about this recipe is that the amount of each ingredient is completely up to you. My kind of recipe!
Megan’s Spring Salad
Arugula: full of vitamins A, C, K, B9, calcium, potassium, and iron
Green peas or pea pods: high in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants (you can eat the peas raw, but they are better digested when cooked al dente)
Raw chopped asparagus: rich in minerals, vitamins A and C, and folic acid (raw, but you can certainly cook or roast it if preferred)
Roasted fennel: rich in vitamins and minerals and is known for its digestive properties (I used 2 bulbs; cut into wedges, toss with olive oil, pepper and salt, roast at 450 F for 20-25 minutes)
Roasted pine nuts: rich in magnesium, iron, zinc, antioxidants, and protein (or any other kind of nut)
Chopped fresh mint: a good source of vitamin A and antioxidants
Goat cheese crumbles: rich in protein along with a powerful combination of calcium, copper, phosphorus essential for healthy bones (you can also add this to the dressing instead to make it creamy)
Dressing:
Olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper
A bit of honey (combine ingredients and whisk or shake vigorously)
That’s it! Perfect as a light lunch, maybe with a piece of crusty sourdough bread, or as a side to roast meat or fish. I guarantee it will impress your guests and please your taste buds!
Happy spring!